The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of results in the Adamawa Governorship election following a purported declaration of winner by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). According to a statement released by Barrister Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, the REC's action was a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer and is therefore null, void and of no effect.
The commission expressed its concern over the declaration of a winner even though the process had not been concluded, adding that it is against the electoral guidelines. The suspension of the collation process is intended to allow the commission to investigate the matter further and ensure that the process is transparent and credible.
INEC has invited the REC, Returning Officer and all other parties involved in the election to the Commission's Headquarters in Abuja immediately. A detailed statement on the matter is expected to be released by the commission.
The Adamawa Governorship election was a supplementary election held after the initial election was declared inconclusive due to irregularities and violence in some polling units. The supplementary election was conducted on April 15, 2023.
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